SENATOR JENNY MCALLISTER

CHAIR FINANCE AND PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION REFERENCES COMMITTEE

SENATOR FOR NEW SOUTH WALES

AEC LETTERS SHOW VOTERS CANNOT RELY ON AUTOMATIC ENROLMENT FOR THE POSTAL SURVEY

All Australians are urged to check their enrolment before midnight tonight following concerning reports the AEC will not be able to complete automatic enrolments in time for the marriage equality postal survey.

In recent days, a number of people have reported receiving the following letter from the AEC

Dear [     ],

I recently wrote to you advising that the Australian Electoral Commission intended to update your enrolment to the address below based on the information received from another government agency:

[                                               ]

Due to the announcement of the Australian Marriage Law Postal Survey I will not be able to update you on the electoral roll by the close of rolls deadline.

You are currently enrolled at the address below:

[                                               ]

You can complete an enrolment form online at www.aec.gov.au or pick up a form at any AEC office or Australia Post outlet. You will need to be updated by Thursday 24 August to complete the survey.

More information about the Australian Marriage Law Postal Survey is available at www.abs.gov.au.

Yours sincerely,

[               ]

Many voters would not have updated their details because they took the AEC at its word that their enrolment would be updated automatically. Some will not be in a position to do so now. 

Labor is therefore urging all Australians to check their enrolment by going to aec.gov.au/check.

Australians should not miss out on their chance to have their say on marriage equality because they relied in good faith on a statement by the AEC.

This government insisted on this flawed, expensive and unnecessary postal survey because it claimed people deserved a say. The government’s rushed process now seems set to disenfranchise many.

These letters raise serious questions for the AEC. I encourage anyone with concerns to make a formal written submission to the Senate inquiry into the postal plebiscite. The secretariat will be able to help you with any questions you may have about the proper form of submissions.

THURSDAY, 24 AUGUST 2017

MEDIA CONTACT:  REUBEN RAY 0402 821 188